Generic gesture detecting method and generic gesture detecting device

ABSTRACT

A generic gesture detecting method executed by a generic gesture detecting device includes steps of: receiving a current sensing signal from a sensing unit; generating a current image according to the current sensing signal; determining whether the current image is similar with a stored image stored in a memory unit; when the current image is similar with the stored image, detecting the current image and the stored image to be a gesture signal; when the current image is different from the stored image, storing the current image into the memory unit, and returning to the step of receiving a current sensing signal. Since the generic gesture detecting device can automatically detect the gesture signal, the user may not need to enable a detecting time period before implementing a command motion. Therefore, the user can make the command motion without enabling the detecting time period, and the convenience can be increased.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a detecting method and a detecting device, and more particularly to a generic gesture detecting method and a generic gesture detecting device.

2. Description of the Related Art

A gesture recognition system generally receives sensing signals from a sensor to recognize motions of a user. For example, the gesture recognition system may receive sensing signals from the sensor, detect gesture signals from the sensing signals, and recognize the gesture signals to determine a command from the motion of the user.

A general method for detecting the gesture signals is using a detecting time period. For example, the user may enable a detecting time period, and the user needs to implement the motion during the detecting time period. Therefore, the sensor may sense all the motions made by the user, but only the motions occurring during the detecting time period can be detected to be the gesture signals.

However, each time the user wants to implement the command by the motions, the user needs to enable the detecting time period first, and then the user can make the motions that can be detected to be the gesture signals. It is very inconvenient for the user.

Therefore, the method for detecting the gesture signals needs to be further improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a generic gesture detecting method and a generic gesture detecting device. The present invention may automatically detect gestures signals form sensing signals, and a user can conveniently make motions that can be detected to be the gesture signals.

The generic gesture detecting method includes steps of:

-   -   receiving a current sensing signal from a sensing unit;     -   generating a current image according to the current sensing         signal;     -   determining whether the current image is similar with a stored         image stored in a memory unit;     -   when the current image is similar with the stored image,         detecting the current image and the stored image to be a gesture         signal;     -   when the current image is different from the stored image,         storing the current image into the memory unit, and returning to         the step of receiving a current sensing signal.

Further, the generic gesture detecting device includes a sensing unit, a memory unit, and a processing unit. The sensing unit senses a sensing signal. The memory unit stores a stored image. The processing unit is electrically connected to the sensing unit and the memory unit.

The processing unit receives the current sensing signal from the sensing unit, generates a current image according to the current sensing signal, and determines whether the current image is similar with the stored image stored in the memory unit.

When the current image is similar with the stored image, the processing unit detects the current image and the stored image to be a gesture signal.

When the current image is different from the stored image, the processing unit stores the current image into the memory unit, and receives the current sensing signal again.

Since the present invention can automatically detect the gesture signal by determining whether the current image is similar with a stored image, the user does not need to enable a detecting time period before implementing a command motion. Therefore, the user can make the command motion without enabling the detecting time period, and the convenience can be increased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a generic gesture detecting method of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a generic gesture detecting device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a return gesture of the generic gesture detecting method of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A-4C are each respectively a schematic diagram of the return gesture;

FIGS. 5A-5M are each respectively a schematic diagram of another return gesture;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of other return gesture;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a preamble gesture of the generic gesture detecting method of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the preamble gesture;

FIGS. 9A-9C are each respectively a schematic diagram of the preamble gesture;

FIGS. 10A-10C are each respectively a schematic diagram of another preamble gesture;

FIGS. 11A-11D are each respectively a schematic diagram of other preamble gesture; and

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an embodiment for determining whether the current image is similar with a stored image.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the present invention relates to a generic gesture detecting method and a generic gesture detecting device.

The generic gesture detecting method includes steps of:

-   -   receiving a current sensing signal from a sensing unit (S101);     -   generating a current image according to the current sensing         signal (S102);     -   determining whether the current image is similar with a stored         image stored in a memory unit (S103);     -   when the current image is similar with the stored image,         detecting the current image and the stored image to be a gesture         signal (S104); and     -   when the current image is different from the stored image,         storing the current image into the memory unit (S105), and         returning to the step (S101).

Further, the generic gesture detecting device includes a sensing unit 10, a memory unit 20, and a processing unit 30. The sensing unit 10 senses a sensing signal. The memory unit 20 stores a stored image. The processing unit 30 is electrically connected to the sensing unit 10 and the memory unit 20.

The processing unit 30 receives the current sensing signal from the sensing unit 10, generates a current image according to the current sensing signal, and determines whether the current image is similar with the stored image stored in the memory unit 20.

When the current image is similar with the stored image, the processing unit 30 detects the current image and the stored image to be a gesture signal.

When the current image is different from the stored image, the processing unit 30 stores the current image into the memory unit 20, and receives the current sensing signal again.

The present invention can automatically detect the gesture signal by determining whether the current image is similar with a stored image, and the user does not need to enable a detecting time period before implementing a command motion. When the user makes a motion similar with a pre-defined motion, then the command motion can be implemented. Therefore, the user can make the command motion without enabling the detecting time period, and the convenience can be increased.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the generic gesture detecting method is executed by the processing unit 30 of the generic gesture detecting device. Further, the sensing unit 10 is a Doppler radar, the current image is a current range-doppler image (RDI), and the processing unit 30 comprises a feature extractor to generate the current RDI. For example, the feature extractor may be a digital signal processor (DSP).

With reference to FIG. 3 , the generic gesture detecting method and the generic gesture detecting device may be used to detect a return gesture. The return gesture is a gesture which starts and ends at an original position or an original motion.

In the embodiment, the memory unit 20 stores a plurality of stored images. The generic gesture detecting method is executed by the processing unit 30, and includes steps of:

-   -   receiving a current sensing signal from a sensing unit (S301);     -   generating a current image according to the current sensing         signal (S302);     -   determining whether the current image is similar with any one of         the stored images stored in the memory unit (S303);     -   when the current image is similar with any one of the stored         images stored in the memory unit, detecting the current image         and all the stored images stored in the memory unit to be the         gesture signal (S304);     -   when the current image is different from any one of the stored         images stored in the memory unit, storing the current image into         the memory unit (S305), and returning to the step S301.

Since the current sensing signal sensed by the sensing unit 10 can be transformed to the current image and the current image can be stored into the memory unit 20, each position of the motion of the user can be saved in the memory unit 20. Therefore, when a current image is similar with any one of the stored images, the position of the motion of the user is returned to the original position. The original position means that the position had been passed by the user once, and the user has passed the position for the second time.

Therefore, when the user implements a gesture which starts and ends at a same position or a same motion, the user makes the return gesture. The present invention can automatically detect the current image and all the stored images stored in the memory unit 20 to be the gesture signal, and transmits the gesture signal to a gesture recognition device for recognizing the gesture signal. Further, after the gesture signal is detected, a next gesture can be continuously implemented by the user without a transition period. Therefore, the present invention can achieve a rapid detection of consecutive gestures without a transition period.

For example, with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C, the user may implement a sign-language based return gesture which starts and ends at a same position. In FIG. 4A, the user may draw a star sign in a sensing area of the sensing unit 10. In FIG. 4B, the user may draw a figure-8 sign in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10. In FIG. 4C, the user may draw a circle sign in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10. When the above-mentioned signs are drawn by the user, the user implements the return gesture.

For example, with reference to FIGS. 5A-5M, the user may implement a communication-based return gesture which starts and ends at a same motion. In FIG. 5A, the user may make a rubbing gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10.

In FIG. 5B, the user may make a shake gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10, and the shake gesture is horizontally shaking a hand.

In FIG. 5C, the user may make a pinch gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10. In FIG. 5D, the user may make a double pinch gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10.

In FIG. 5E, the user may make a shooting gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10.

In FIG. 5F, the user may make a click gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10.

In FIG. 5G, the user may make a left swipe gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10. In FIG. 5H, the user may make a right swipe gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10.

In FIG. 5I, the user may make a pat gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10, and the pat gesture is vertically shaking a hand.

In FIG. 5J, the user may make a left shift gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10, and the left shift gesture is firstly left shifting a hand, and secondly right shifting the hand. In FIG. 5K, the user may make a right shift gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10, and the right shift gesture is firstly right shifting a hand, and secondly left shifting the hand. In FIG. 5L, the user may make a top shift gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10, and the top shift gesture is firstly top shifting a hand, and secondly down shifting the hand. In FIG. 5M, the user may make a down shift gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10, and the down shift gesture is firstly down shifting a hand, and secondly up shifting the hand.

For example, with reference to FIG. 6 , the user may implement the other communication-based return gesture, and the user may move a hand down-up-down-up in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10.

When the above-mentioned gestures are done by the user, the user implements the return gesture.

With reference to FIG. 7 , the generic gesture detecting method and the generic gesture detecting device may be used to detect a preamble gesture. The preamble gesture is a gesture which firstly makes preamble motions, and secondly makes gesture motions.

In the embodiment, the memory unit 20 stores a plurality of stored images, the stored images are preamble images, and the preamble images are arranged in sequence. The generic gesture detecting method is executed by the processing unit 30, and includes steps of:

-   -   receiving a current sensing signal from a sensing unit (S601);     -   generating a current image according to the current sensing         signal (S602);     -   determining whether the current image is similar with a first         preamble image stored in the memory unit (S603);     -   when the current image is similar with the first preamble image         stored in the memory unit, adding a counting by 1 (S604), and         determining whether the counting is greater than a first         threshold (S605);     -   when the counting is greater than the first threshold,         initialing the counting (S606), enabling a gesture signal         detecting function (S607), and detecting images after the         current image to be the gesture signal (S608);     -   when the counting is smaller than the first threshold, receiving         a next sensing signal (S609), generating a next image according         to the next sensing signal (S610), and determining whether the         next image is similar with a next preamble image stored in the         memory unit (S611);     -   when the next image is similar with the next preamble image         stored in the memory unit, returning to the step S604;     -   when the next image is different from the next preamble images         stored in the memory unit, initialing the counting (S612), and         returning to the step S601;     -   when the current image is different from the first preamble         image stored in the memory unit, going to the step S612, and         returning to the step S601.

Since the preamble images are stored into the memory unit 20, the present invention can determine whether the current images are similar with the preamble images. When the current images are similar with the preamble images, the processing unit 10 can detect the next images received from the sensing unit 10 after the current images are determined to be the gesture signal.

For example, with reference to FIGS. 8, and 9A-9C, the user may implement a sign-language-based preamble gesture. In FIG. 8 , a preamble sign of the preamble gesture is shown. In FIG. 9A, the user may firstly draw the preamble sign, and secondly draw the sharp sign in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10. In FIG. 9B, the user may firstly draw the preamble sign, and secondly draw the down sign in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10. In FIG. 9C, the user may firstly draw the preamble sign, and secondly draw the up sign in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10. When the above-mentioned signs are drawn by the user, the user implements the preamble gesture.

For example, with reference to FIGS. 10A-10C, the user may implement a communication-based preamble gesture, and the user may firstly clench a first to implement a preamble, and secondly make a gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10.

In FIG. 10A, the user may make a scissor gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10. In FIG. 10B, the user may make a stone gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10. In FIG. 10C, the user may make a paper gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10.

For example, with reference to FIGS. 11A-11D, the user may implement another communication-based preamble gesture.

In FIG. 11A, the user may firstly extend the index finger and move the extended index finger to the right once in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10 for implementing a preamble, and the user may secondly move the extended index finger to the right once again in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10 for making a gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10.

In FIG. 11B, the user may firstly extend the index finger and move the extended index finger to the left once in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10 for implementing a preamble, and the user may secondly move the extended index finger to the left once again in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10 for making a gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10.

In FIG. 11C, the user may firstly extend the index finger and move the extended index finger to the down once in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10 for implementing a preamble, and the user may secondly move the extended index finger to the down once again in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10 for making a gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10.

In FIG. 11D, the user may firstly extend the index finger and move the extended index finger to the up once in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10 for implementing a preamble, and the user may secondly move the extended index finger to the up once again in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10 for making a gesture in the sensing area of the sensing unit 10.

Moreover, with reference to FIG. 12 , the current image and the stored image respectively include a plurality of range data, and the step S103 determining whether the current image is similar with a stored image stored in a memory unit further includes sub-steps of:

-   -   calculating a sum square difference of the data of the current         image and the data of the stored image (S1031);     -   normalizing the sum square difference (S1032);     -   calculating a similarity according to the sum square difference         (S1033);     -   determining whether the similarity is larger than a second         threshold (S1034);     -   when the similarity is larger than the second threshold,         determining that the current image is similar with the stored         image (S1035);     -   when the similarity is smaller than the second threshold,         determining that the current image is different from the stored         image (S1036).

In step S1031, the sum square difference is calculated by the following formula:

$S_{sq} = {\sum\limits_{\underset{m \in M}{n \in N}}\left( {{J\left\lbrack {n,m} \right\rbrack} - {I\left\lbrack {n,m} \right\rbrack}} \right)^{2}}$

S_(sq) is the sum square difference, N, M are boundary values of the RDI, and J[n, m], I[n, m] are range values of the RDI.

In step S1032, the sum square difference is normalized by the following formula:

${NSSD} = \frac{S_{sq}}{\sqrt{\sum{{J\left\lbrack {n,m} \right\rbrack}^{2} \times {\sum{I\left\lbrack {n,m} \right\rbrack}^{2}}}}}$

NSSD is the normalized sum square difference.

In step S1033, the similarity is calculated by the following formula: Similarity=1−NSSD

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A generic gesture detecting method, comprising steps of: receiving a current sensing signal from a sensing unit; generating a current image according to the current sensing signal; determining whether the current image is similar with a stored image stored in a memory unit; when the current image is similar with the stored image, detecting the current image and the stored image to be a gesture signal; and when the current image is different from the stored image, storing the current image into the memory unit, and returning to the step of receiving a current sensing signal, wherein the gesture signal is transmitted to a gesture recognition device for recognizing the gesture signal; wherein the sensing unit is a Doppler radar; wherein the current image and the stored image respectively comprise a plurality of range data; and wherein the step of determining whether the current image is similar with a stored image stored in a memory unit further comprises sub-steps of: calculating a sum square difference of the range data of the current image and the range data of the stored image; normalizing the sum square difference; calculating a similarity according to the sum square difference; determining whether the similarity is larger than a second threshold; when the similarity is larger than the second threshold, determining that the current image is similar with the stored image; and when the similarity is smaller than the second threshold, determining that the current image is different from the stored image.
 2. The generic gesture detecting method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the current image is a current range-doppler image (RDI); and wherein the current RDI is generated by a feature extractor.
 3. The generic gesture detecting method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory unit stores a plurality of stored images; wherein the step of determining whether the current image is similar with a stored image stored in a memory unit further comprises sub-steps of: determining whether the current image is similar with any one of the stored images stored in the memory unit; when the current image is similar with any one of the stored images stored in the memory unit, detecting the current image and all the stored images stored in the memory unit to be the gesture signal; and when the current image is different from any one of the stored images stored in the memory unit, storing the current image into the memory unit, and returning to the step of receiving a current sensing signal.
 4. The generic gesture detecting method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory unit stores a plurality of stored images, the stored images are preamble images, and the preamble images are arranged in sequence; wherein the step of determining whether the current image is similar with a stored image stored in a memory unit further comprises sub-steps of: determining whether the current image is similar with a first preamble image among the preamble images stored in the memory unit; when the current image is similar with the first preamble image stored in the memory unit, adding a counting by 1, and determining whether the counting is greater than a first threshold; when the counting is greater than the first threshold, initialing the counting, enabling a gesture signal detecting function, and detecting images after the current image to be the gesture signal; when the counting is smaller than the first threshold, receiving a next sensing signal, generating a next image according to the next sensing signal, and determining whether the next image is similar with a next preamble image among the preamble images stored in the memory unit; when the next image is similar with the next preamble image stored in the memory unit, returning to the step of adding a counting by 1; when the next image is different from the next preamble image stored in the memory unit, initialing the counting, and returning to the step of receiving a current sensing signal; and when the current image is different from the first preamble image stored in the memory unit, initialing the counting, and returning to the step of receiving a current sensing signal.
 5. A generic gesture detecting device, comprising: a sensing unit, sensing a sensing signal; a memory unit, storing a stored image; and a processing unit, electrically connected to the sensing unit and the memory unit; wherein the processing unit receives a current sensing signal from the sensing unit, generates a current image according to the current sensing signal, and determines whether the current image is similar with the stored image stored in the memory unit; wherein when the current image is similar with the stored image, the processing unit detects the current image and the stored image to be a gesture signal; wherein when the current image is different from the stored image, the processing unit stores the current image into the memory unit, and receives the current sensing signal again; wherein the gesture signal is transmitted to a gesture recognition device for recognizing the gesture signal; wherein the sensing unit is a Doppler radar; wherein the current image and the stored image respectively comprise a plurality of range data; wherein the processing unit further calculates a sum square difference of the range data of the current image and the range data of the stored image, normalizes the sum square difference, calculates a similarity according to the sum square difference, and determines whether the similarity is larger than a second threshold; wherein when the similarity is larger than the second threshold, the processing unit determines that the current image is similar with the stored image; and wherein when the similarity is smaller than the second threshold, the processing unit determines that the current image is different from the stored image.
 6. The generic gesture detecting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the current image is a current range-doppler image (RDI); wherein the processing unit comprises a feature extractor, and the current RDI is generated by the feature extractor.
 7. The generic gesture detecting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the memory unit stores a plurality of stored images; wherein the processing unit further determines whether the current image is similar with any one of the stored images; wherein when the current image is similar with any one of the stored images, the processing unit detects the current image and all the stored images stored in the memory unit to be the gesture signal; wherein when the current image is different from any one of the stored images, the processing unit stores the current image into the memory unit, and receives the current sensing signal again.
 8. The generic gesture detecting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the memory unit stores a plurality of stored images, the stored images are preamble images, and the preamble images are arranged in sequence; wherein the processing unit further determines whether the current image is similar with a first preamble image among the preamble images stored in the memory unit; wherein when the current image is similar with the first preamble image, the processing unit adds a counting by 1, and determines whether the counting is greater than a first threshold; wherein when the counting is greater than the first threshold, the processing unit initializes the counting, enables a gesture signal detecting function, and detects images after the current image to be the gesture signal; wherein when the counting is smaller than the first threshold, the processing unit receives a next sensing signal, generates a next image according to the next sensing signal, and determines whether the next image is similar with a next preamble image among the preamble images stored in the memory unit; wherein when the next image is similar with the next preamble image, the processing unit adds the counting by 1, and determines whether the counting is greater than the first threshold again; wherein when the next image is different from the next preamble image, the processing unit initializes the counting, and receives the current sensing signal again; wherein when the current image is different from the first preamble image, the processing unit initializes the counting, and receives the current sensing signal again. 